Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73
§11506 Carrying sheath knives
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part G— - Merchant Seamen Protection and Relief › Chapter CHAPTER 115— - OFFENSES AND PENALTIES › § 11506
Summary
Sailors cannot wear sheath knives aboard merchant ships without the captain’s permission; the captain must warn new crew or pay the United States $50.
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §11506
Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
A seaman in the merchant marine may not wear a sheath knife on board a vessel without the consent of the master. The master of a vessel of the United States shall inform each seaman of this prohibition before engagement. A master failing to advise a seaman is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $50.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 1150646:710 section 11506 prohibits a merchant seaman from carrying a sheath knife without permission of the master, and penalizes a master who does not advise a seaman of this provision.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 11506
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73